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Weekly Market Snapshot: Geopolitical Fog Meets Earnings Season as Markets Grind Higher

Week ending April 24, 2026 | Canadian Money Brief – moneysavings.ca Markets this week found themselves caught between two powerful forces: a roaring U.S. earnings season pushing stocks to fresh records, and a simmering Middle East conflict keeping oil elevated and investor nerves frayed. For Canadians, that makes for a complicated but important picture heading into the last week of April. TSX Composite: Stuck in the Mud The S&P/TSX Composite spent the week trading in a tight band near the 34,000 mark, unable to mount a meaningful rally. Tuesday delivered a sharp blow — the index plunged over 550 points to close at 33,808 as U.S.-Iran ceasefire talks collapsed after U.S. Vice President JD Vance abruptly cancelled his Pakistan trip, where he was set to lead negotiations. Wednesday brought a partial recovery, with the TSX adding roughly 0.4% to close at 33,955 , helped by gains in energy and mining stocks following President Trump's announcement of an indefinite ceasefire ex...

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Trade War Looms: Economists Brace for Impact as Loonie Weakens


As the specter of a trade war looms large, economists and market strategists are sounding the alarm, warning of potential repercussions for the Canadian economy. The recent announcement of sweeping tariffs by U.S. President Donald Trump on Canadian goods has sent shockwaves through financial markets, causing the Canadian dollar, or "loonie," to slide to its lowest level since 2003.

Top economists predict that if the tariff war persists, Canada's economy could face its most severe shock since the COVID-19 pandemic. The loonie's decline is expected to exacerbate inflationary pressures and increase the unemployment rate, potentially pushing the economy into a recession. 

Chief Economist Beata Caranci and Senior Economist James Orlando anticipate a "sharp negative reaction" in North American equity markets and further weakening of the loonie, which could drop as low as 65 US cents. The Bank of Canada may be forced to cut interest rates to mitigate the economic impact.

As the situation unfolds, market strategists advise investors to brace for volatility and consider safe-haven assets to weather the storm. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether negotiations can avert a full-blown trade war and stabilize the loonie.




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